April 27, 2023 | Greenphire launches a new patient-facing digital platform, Medidata’s AI Intelligent Trials platform will support Launch Therapeutics, gold-based compounds target “superbugs”, The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has been named the newest member institution of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Agency, and more.                                   

Clinical ink now offers continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) within its integrated digital biomarker solution. The new modules enable remote collection, central storage, and analysis of sensor data from commercially available devices for use in diabetes clinical trials. The solution addresses device connectivity status, providing robust, on-device CGM data collection in both offline and online scenarios with efficient data synchronization management when connected. This integration is facilitated by the recent FDA clearance of commercial CGM devices, which include the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 System and the Dexcom G7 System. CGM is now also recommended in the expanded 2022 American Diabetes Association clinical guidelines for adults and children, as well as the 2022 FDA guidance on feasibility of use in diabetes clinical trials. Press release.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is announcing the creation of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine to foster innovative research into new pathways to cure a host of diseases from leukemia to Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, and airway diseases—with the promise of improving medical care, quality of life, and longevity for all patients. The Institute will advance and coordinate research and training in broad areas of regenerative biology and medicine across the basic science and clinical departments at Mount Sinai and will encompass three centers that each focus on a subset of diseases and disorders. The Institute will include the Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration, the Center for Epithelial and Airway Biology and Regeneration, and the Center for Advancement of Blood Cancer Therapies. Press release.

PicnicHealth, a patient-centered health technology company, announced its intent to globally expand its partnership with Roche and Genentech to accelerate neurological disease research through investments in real-world data. The partnership, which launched in 2018 with a custom cohort of 5,000 multiple sclerosis patients, FlyWheelMS, has grown to include investments in Huntington’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease related dementias (AD/ADRD), and myasthenia gravis (MG) cohorts. Roche continues to leverage PicnicHealth datasets as part of its pan-neuroscience patient research study, ‘BrainPower’ (Brain Patient Outcomes With Experience Research), to highlight shared challenges and unmet needs faced by patients with neurological diseases, and ultimately improve patient outcomes and care. PicnicHealth's newest real-world datasets in AD/ADRD and MG, which include patient- and observer-reported outcomes and electronic health record data, will form some of the most complete datasets to date following the retrospective and prospective journeys of patients with AD/ADRD and MG. While the MG cohort enrollment is closed, the AD/RD cohort is currently open for enrollment for patients in the United States. Press release.

Greenphire has expanded its trusted participant-centered offerings with a robust series of solution enhancements. To enable sponsors, CROs and sites to deliver a consistent experience for trial participants everywhere, the company has unveiled a new patient-facing digital platform, GreenSpace, coupled with increased international payment functionality and flexibility, dramatically improving access, engagement, and retention globally. GreenSpace enhances the trial experience for participants around the world. Unlike other solutions available in the market today, GreenSpace offers a unified digital experience accessible via iOS and Android devices, or through an internet browser. The comprehensive platform provides easy access to trial-related information and activities such as financial views and account details, submission of receipts for reimbursement, visit and travel itinerary details, delivery of surveys and insights and more. Press release.

Late last month, Greenphire appointed Steve Geffon as its new chief commercial officer. In this executive committee role, Geffon is responsible for leading and expanding upon Greenphire’s proven go-to-market strategy, aligning client objectives with a growing suite of technology solutions to assist clinical researchers in getting treatments and cures to market faster. Geffon joined Greenphire—most recently from Science 37—where he served as a chief commercial officer and was responsible for leading commercial operations and developing strategic partnerships. Before this, he led sales and marketing as a chief commercial officer at Medrio, a leading SaaS data capture platform. Geffon was also instrumental in ERT’s success, leading sales efforts through unprecedented growth and profitability for nearly 15 years. Press release.

Launch Therapeutics has selected Medidata AI Intelligent Trials to support its innovative approach to accelerating clinical trials of late-stage therapies. Launch Therapeutics (Launch Tx) is a clinical development company with a mission to disrupt the late-stage development paradigm, accelerate timelines to regulatory success, and bring new medicines to patients faster. Medidata AI Intelligent Trials’ Study Feasibility solution provides Launch Tx with higher assurance that trial planning will improve enrollment and quality. This is done by leveraging country and site-level performance data, and predictive analytics. It’s built on a foundation of industry-leading data from more than 30,000 clinical trials across a wide array of disease indications representing more than nine million study participants. Press release.

New research presented at this year’s European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases in Copenhagen, Denmark, by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Spain, has identified several gold-based compounds with the potential to treat multidrug-resistant “superbugs.” Gold is known to have antibacterial properties, making gold metalloantibiotics—compounds with a gold ion at their core—an exciting potential new approach. Gold complexes stop enzymes from working, disrupt the function of the bacterial membrane, and damage DNA. Crucially, this multimodal mechanism should prevent antimicrobial resistance from developing. Press release.

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center has been named the newest member institution of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). The UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center uses a broad array of unique and innovative educational, training, clinical, and research programs, all characterized by a particular focus on increasing the presence of underrepresented populations in oncology and better understanding and serving their catchment area population. These include training and mentorship programs for students at all levels starting in high school and partnerships with numerous community programs throughout their area. NCCN’s member institutions work together in various ways to define and advance high-quality, high-value, patient-centered cancer care globally. NCCN member institutions also work together to identify and address pressing concerns in cancer care delivery as they arise, including public health and safety, policy, and other issues. Press release.

Lokavant formally launched from parent company Roivant Sciences. Through incubation within Roivant Health, Lokavant identified a broader market opportunity to solve a longstanding problem in clinical trials for sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs). Lokavant’s platform unifies data in real-time across all trial functions to power a machine-learning engine that anticipates clinical trial events and their impact on trial execution. The platform delivers deep analytical insights, clear data visualizations, and immediate alerts to sponsors and CROs to enable decisive action and prevent trial derailment. Press release.

The University of Tartu, Estonia, was selected by the European Medicines Agency as one of the data partners of the DARWIN EU network. This is a first step towards the common use of health data in Europe to support public health, medicines regulation, and safety based on evidence from data collected in the routine provision of healthcare. Joining the DARWIN EU data network is a great recognition of the work that has been done and a good opportunity for Estonia to cooperate internationally in the health field. As a result of the accession, Estonia's health data will be integrated into a wider network of real-world data and evidence-based conclusions on the use, safety, and efficacy of medicines will influence patient care across Europe. The inclusion in the DARWIN EU network has also been facilitated by the Estonian Biobank's unique database, which brings together genetic and health data from over 200 000 Estonians. Press release.